The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has showcased a mock-up of the Hurjet jet trainer/light attack aircraft for the first time at the Farnborough International Airshow 2018 on 16 July, Defence Blog reported.
According to TAI’s representative, the new Hurjet is an advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. It is designed with the goal of 5th-generation training aircraft, will be equipped with an advanced mission computer in its modern cockpit.
The Hurjet is approximately 13.4 m in length, has an 11 m wingspan.
In the project, Hurjet’s maximum altitude is set at 45,000 feet, along with its 3,000-kilogram payload and a maximum speed of Mach 1.2.
The Turkish military is planning to use the Hurjet for replacing its aging fleet of T-38 trainers and for close-air support missions with the country’s F-16 fighters.
The newest Turkish aircraft should be completed by 2022, with the first test flight expected in 2023.
Turkish Aircraft Industries Corporation (TAI) was established on June 28, 1973 under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Technology in order to reduce the foreign dependency in defense industry of Turkey.
With the decision of meeting the combat aircraft requirement of Turkish Air Force (TurAF) with F-16s, TAI Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) was established by Turkish and US partners in 1984 for a period of 25 years with the aim to realize the manufacture, systems integration and flight tests of F-16 that would be delivered to TurAF.
TAI was restructured in the year 2005, just before the 25 years of period came to an end, with the acquisition of foreign shares by Turkish shareholders. Along with this restructuring, Turkish Aircraft Industries and TAI have merged under the roof of Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) and have broadened its activities. Today, known as Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) has become Turkey's center of technology in design, development, modernization, manufacturing, integration and life cycle support of integrated aerospace systems, from fixed and rotary wing air platforms to UAVs and satellites.
TAI, which ranks among the top hundred global players in aerospace and defense arena, based its business on five strategic pillars as shown below;
• Aerostructures Group
• Aircraft Group
• Helicopter Group
• UAS Group
• Space Systems Group
In addition, integrated logistics service is also provided for all products designed and produced by TAI.
